Skipped heartbeat have to catch my breath

[asherwood78]

For severaI years I have been experiencing a sensation as if my heart was skipping a beat or that it flutters. When this happens I catch my breath and try to breathe properly to regain normal beats. I experience this every few days, sometimes more and usually not for more than a few beats.
My doctor told me that this is probably just anxiety or stress but it happens even in a relaxed state.
Could someone please tell me what this is and should I ask for testing?
Thanks!

[asherwood78]

Thank you all for your helpful insight. It eases my mind to know I'm not alone. I will ask my doctor for a referal to a cardio specialist.
Many blessings!

[Zachs]

Yes.. The catching your breath sensations is actually the heart skipping and taking your breath away. We tend to immediately focus on our breathing after, which is up for debate on how that feels. :)  Get to a doctor to put your mind at ease.  Let us know.. Zach

[marshaldillon]

The sensation of having to catch your breath is a common symptom of PVC's according to my Doc. I do that also. More than likely you are fine, but I agree you should wear a monitor and let them look at what you are doing to make sure they are benign.

[Wisconsin2007]

Great answer, ladyjake.

[ladyjake]

Hi.  I have had these sensations for 30 years.  I have had many cardio workups (usually when they become more frequent).  All are "benign" from what the holter monitors show.  I will suggest that if you haven't had an evaluation, as 'bobad' suggests, please do so.  It will help set your mind at rest.....

Stress is my trigger.  I can be sorta 'stressfree' and still have them, but if I go back a couple of days and see where a stressful event occured, I can relate them right back to that point.  After all the years dealing with these PVC's/skipped beats/the flutters, etc., I know that if I had something stressful happen, I will have some of those things hit within a few days to a week (hence, I am willing to hit the Xanax until a few days have passed-it sometimes helps, I would rather feel a little dopey than 'thump' around).  If I have a real adrenalin shocker (such as almost hitting an animal while driving), I will have a big thumper right away.  Sometimes doing an exercise or a fast walk will kick them off (especially if having a lightly stressful day).  

They are the devil to live with and even after all these years, they still bother me when they happen.  I try to keep telling myself that the heart is a fantastic organ, it is designed with many failsafe measures in place and when it skips, it is resetting it's rythm and getting on with the business of beating the way it is supposed to.  This forum is great for support and info as many have the same fears and experiences and provide a bit of insight into what is going on and how to cope.  There are a lot of people in this world dealing with these and living to ripe old ages.  Take care.

[bobad]

Well, I can tell you it isn't likely stress. "Stress" is a catchall, and basically means the doctor doesn't know what is causing your arrhythmia. I know for a fact that heart arrhythmias cause stress, but it's highly debatable whether stress causes arrhythmias. You don't have to be stressed to release too much adrenalin or for normal levels of adrenalin to affect your heart rhythm. Many times adrenalin has nothing to do with the arrhythmia.

Assuming you are only 30, you still need to get a cardio doc to check it out. You will probably  need to wear a Holter monitor for 24 hours to learn exactly what you are feeling, and perhaps some things you are not feeling. Chances are excellent that it's a benign arrhythmia (probably PVC's) that won't affect you in any way. There's a slight chance it is something that will need some type of medical intervention.

Best of luck and health,

Bob